Finding ideas for your
commissions

Art is not something you are born with. Art is something you learn.
When in school, you learnt how to form letters and write words.
Before school you learnt how to talk and walk. There isn’t much in
this world that you haven’t had to learn. For those who have not as
yet had a chance to learn how to create art or who would only ever
like to appreciate the final work, commissioning can be an easy
option for getting the image you want and not having to fret about
the potential mess created by your efforts. Commissioning is for those who
would like to fill that space on their wall with a piece straight
from their own mind but don’t know how to wield a brush or pencil
in an artistic manner.

Finding an idea for a commissioned piece is like putting on the
mantle of an artist. The idea has to be one that can be translated
into a solid medium successfully. Some thoughts you have are more
like stories and need words, others need sounds while yet others
need pictures and sculptures. Emotional ties can be expressed by
art either through a picture of the one you care for whether
friend, family or pet. Thoughts about the world can be made into
artworks by recreating events and places. Political viewpoints can
be expressed by the mood of a scene or a blatant statement. Social
comments can look like a landscape of a picture of people
picnicking. And then you have the fun and quirky artworks that are
an expression of the things that make you giggle while walking
through a crowd, your love of a cartoon or of an activity. A lot of
ideas can be translated into artworks but some need the writers pen
or the producers camera crew.

The idea is yours but the artwork has to be created by the artist.
To convey your idea you can use other examples, photos, sketches
and descriptions. The style of your choice can be conveyed in the
same way but the artist will have to be able to work in this manner
for the final piece to be successful. Choose your artist by looking
at their previous works but especially at any that are currently
exhibiting. You can approach any artist regarding commissioning
artworks but not all will accept the offer as some artists work
best from their own thoughts and emotions. Translating other
people’s ideas can be uncomfortable; like wearing other people’s
clothes. The idea just won’t fit, the concept is too rough or
broad, the style too constricting. Each artist will make the
decision based on their previous experiences, their expertise and
whether they would like to complete a work for someone else. Do not
be offended or put off if your offer is rejected. You likely just
need to find another artist.

Once you find an artist willing to take on the project you have in
mind, discuss options with the artist to find out if a different
way of approaching your idea will work out better. Colours,
textures, the location you wish the work to be placed, style,
layout and other issues should all be discussed in order for the
concept to be finalised. This process should be conducted in order
for the final work to be exactly what you are after. Once these
negotiations are finalised the artist will set to work. If your
idea has been conveyed well, you will end up with the perfect
artwork for your home once the artist has completed the
piece.